Readers' Choice: Best Of The Caribbean Resorts, Snorkeling, Trips & More
Best Happy Hour: Rick's Café, Jamaica
Two reasons you love this Negril cliffside classic: the island's best sunset views and the breathtaking daily performances of daredevil divers, who plunge from heights of up to 100 feet into the turquoise waters below.
Return to Main Page | Zach Stovall
By
Islands Staff
May 8, 2013
Looking for the best places in the Caribbean to visit? We polled 17,000 discerning readers whose passion for the Caribbean is matched only by their desire to share it. Here are their 24 picks of the top Caribbean beach resorts, snorkeling spots and attractions.
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Editors' Picks: Best Caribbean All-Inclusives | Best Islands to Live on in the Caribbean | Extreme Caribbean Snorkeling
Best Megaresort: Atlantis, Bahamas
With the property's almost 3,500 rooms spread over 171 acres, 13 pools, 40 restaurants, casino, golf course and massive water park, if you're bored here, you need more than a vacation.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Atlantis
Best Golf Resort: Four Seasons, Nevis
After a two-year rehab, the resort reopened last December to raves for its refreshed Robert Trent Jones II course.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Four Seasons
Best Luxury Resort: Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
A 1,000-acre private-island outpost fringed by a mile-long white-sand beach, sleekly stylish oceanfront villas, a world-class holistic spa, and impeccable yet unobtrusive service. Sounds like the ultimate luxury to us — and you.
Return to Main Page | Debbie Snow
Best Festival: Trinidad Carnival
To truly appreciate the Caribbean's most riotous pre-Lenten celebration, join a band and parade through the streets of Port-of-Spain in all your headdress-wearing, body-painted glory. A soundtrack of the season's hottest soca hits keeps energy levels high.
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Best Family Resort: Atlantis, Bahamas
Family fun comes supersized at this mammoth Paradise Island playground. Play with sea lions, stroke a stingray, course down one of seven water slides, splash in one of 11 pools or just take it easy floating along the lazy river.
Return to Main Page | Zach Stovall
Best Midsize Hotel: Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI
Laurance Rockefeller — the other patron saint of St. John — built elegant Caneel Bay with privacy in mind. With just 166 rooms spread over a lush 170-acre peninsula, the resort feels all your own even when it's full.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Caneel Bay
Best Beer: Red Stripe
Whether you're basking on the sand or digging out from under a foot of Minnesota snow, this classic Jamaican lager is your go-to brew.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Red Stripe
Best Natural Attraction or Park: Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, USVI
More than 7,000 acres of rugged hiking trails, pristine beaches and a coral reef await, so pack your gear and get going.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Virgin Islands National Park
Best Bang for the Buck Resort: Beaches Turks & Caicos
Six pools, 16 restaurants, 12 bars, a water park, a kids camp, a nightclub, free scuba diving and all the food and drink you could possibly desire add up to your favorite vacation value.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Beaches
Best Overall Caribbean Island: Puerto Rico
Your favorite island offers something for everyone: History buffs are captivated by Old San Juan, surfer dudes hang 10 in Rincón, gastronomes revel in the island's diverse culinary scene, and those who seek solitude find it in quiet corners of Vieques and Culebra.
Return to Main Page | Zach Stovall
Best Island for Celebrity Watching: St. Barts
In spite of the $12 sodas and $300 sundresses, you love St. Barts — and the chance to set down a beach towel next to Posh and Becks or Brangelina.
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Best Romantic Resort: Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
No phones, no TVs, nothing to distract you from what's truly important: each other.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Jade Mountain Resort
Best Adventure Destination: Belize
It's your favorite diving destination, but you love Belize's topside attractions too. Zip lining through the jungle, sea kayaking, white-water rafting, caving and mountain biking get the adrenaline flowing.
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Best Rum: Cruzan
The St. Croix, USVI, distiller claims to have been the first to manufacture flavored rums. We don't know whether you prefer black cherry to vanilla, but we do know that you drink an awful lot of it.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Cruzan
Best Island to Live on: St. John, USVI
An away from it all vibe and easy accessibility are the biggest assets of the tiniest U.S. Virgin island. A stunning national park and laid-back locals make this the place you most want to call home.
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Best Shopping: St. Thomas, USVI
If shopping is your cardio, consider St. Thomas your gym. Snag deals on everything from jewelry to electronics, and bring up to $1,600 worth of loot home duty-free. Better bring a bigger bag.
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Best Beach: Seven-Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
The velvet highway of the Caymans' most celebrated strand boasts clear waters and a classic big-island scene.
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Best Small Hotel: Little Cayman Beach Resort
Little Cayman is a must-do for divers, and this compact hotel keeps them coming back with a winning combination of comfy rooms, great service and a stellar staff.
Return to Main Page | Courttesy of Little Cayman Beach Resort
Best All-Inclusive Resort: Beaches Turks & Caicos
At this expansive Grace Bay resort, photo ops with Elmo thrill little kids — and big kids are equally delighted by the free-flowing cocktails.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Beaches
Best Resort Spa: Silver Rain, Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Indulgence isn't inexpensive at La Prairie's water-themed sanctuary, which features a multimillion-dollar art installation and $300 facials using "skin caviar." You, however, consider it money well spent.
Return to Main Page | Zach Stovall
Best Snorkeling & Diving: Belize
The Caribbean's Technicolor depths are one of its biggest draws, and no place does coral like Belize. Visit the tiny Central American nation and have prime proximity to the magnificent Mesoamerican Reef, which stretches nearly 700 miles from Mexico to northern Honduras. Grab a mask and fins and dive in. | Jad Davenport
Resort With the Best View: Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
From the three-walled sanctuaries at this hillside hideaway, the Piton mountains appear almost close enough to touch, and the only thing that separates you from the iconic peaks is the shimmering expanse of tranquil sea lying between. Perfection.
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Jade Mountain Resort
Best Restaurant: The Cliff, Barbados
The sweeping view (cliffside, naturally) is as big an attraction as the stellar cuisine (try the fillet of barracuda).
Return to Main Page | Courtesy of Cliff Restaurant/Artie